News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The White County School School Board has approved giving all certified teachers and nurses a $430 bonus through state allocated funds.
The funds come from the two percent teacher raise approved by Tennessee General Assembly in January. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the money will be split evenly to about 311 different employees.
“This is the raise that the Governor wants to go to teachers,” Dronebarger said. “And so, this raise that was given it came out to about $158,000 that will go to our teachers.”
A one time $150 bonus to support staff was also approved during Thursday’s Board of Education meeting. Dronebarger said this funding will come from local money and cost about $40,000.
“We just feel strongly that people would like to see a little check in their hand,” Dronebarger said. “Even if it is not a lot, we acknowledge the hard work that you have been putting in during this really difficult year.”
Dronebarger said the needed $40,000 will be available at the end of the year from unspent money during snow days. The bonus will be prorated for half time employees.
School Board member Dewayne Howard made a motion to add local money to the teacher raises. The proposed $70 increase did not receive a second motion.
This will be the second round of bonuses approved this school year. In November, $500 for certified teachers and $250 for classified employees was approved.
